Blue Rodeo

Blue Rodeo Bio

Canada's most popular roots
rock
band, Blue Rodeo became a veritable institution in their home
country, although
they never quite moved beyond cult status in the U.S. Their sound was a basic
blend of country,
folk, and rock, but with a definite pop appeal that underlined
their devotion to later-period Beatles, in addition to expected touchstones like
Gram Parsons, Bob
Dylan, and the
Band. Consistency was the hallmark of Blue Rodeo's output, both in terms of sound (which followed much the same blueprint
throughout their career) and quality (thanks to the songwriting team of
vocalists/guitarists Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor). That, in turn, allowed the band
considerable longevity, and they started to earn a whole new audience with the
advent of the No Depression movement.
Blue Rodeo was founded in Toronto by its two lead singers, guitarists, and
songwriters, Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor. The two met in high school and had been
playing together since 1977, when they started a punk-influenced band called the
HiFis. In 1981, they moved to New York in search of a record deal, and
reorganized the band under a new name, Fly to France. Three years of hunting
proved fruitless, and the group switched styles several times before Cuddy and
Keelor returned to Toronto in 1984. The following year, they assembled a new
band with the idea of returning to organic, guitar-based music in an era
dominated by synth-pop. Christened Blue Rodeo, the initial lineup also featured
drummer Cleave Anderson, bassist Bazil Donovan, and keyboardist Bob Wiseman.